Buffy the Vampire Slayer Cast: Shocking Transformations and Tragic Updates Revealed!

Around the mid-90s, a fresh television network discovered enchantment by resonating with the youth of that era, often referred to as millennials back then. The WB, later known as The CW, seemed to encapsulate the adolescent journey at the end of the 20th century. It offered a glamorized portrayal of high school life, featuring style reminiscent of Cher from “Clueless”, nights at clubs for underage teenagers bustling with up-and-coming punk and rock bands, and stories depicting the challenges faced by teens raised in single-parent households.

One of the popular series introduced by The WB in its new lineup is “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” which aired from 1997 to 2003 for a total of seven seasons. The show revolved around Buffy Summers (played by Sarah Michelle Gellar), a cheerleader turned superheroine who was the only one defending Sunnydale, California from the apocalypse. Alongside her friends Willow and Xander (Alyson Hannigan and Nicholas Brendon), collectively known as the Scooby Gang, each episode found Buffy juggling everyday issues like passing exams while dealing with the supernatural, all with her signature sharp wit and humor.

Similar to its protagonist, the series didn’t shy away from making bold moves, as evidenced by standout episodes such as the musical “Once More With Feeling” and the groundbreaking, almost dialogue-free episode titled “Hush.” However, it’s important to acknowledge that despite its influence on pop culture, Buffy carries a complex legacy. In the era of #MeToo, several cast members have come forward criticizing the conduct of the show’s creator, Joss Whedon, who has refuted all accusations.

Regardless if you’re a fan of Angel or Spike, brace yourself as we uncover what your favorite Sunnydale characters – both those adored and loathed – have been doing since the show ended. (Caution: Some of them are now together again for an original series in the Buffy universe on Audible.)

Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy

In the first episode, Buffy is a transfer student at Sunnydale High, having been kicked out of her previous school in LA for setting fire to the gym. What people don’t realize, though, is that she was merely carrying out a necessary task: The gym was infested with vampires, and as the chosen Slayer of her generation, it was her duty to eliminate them. During the series, Buffy continually grapples with balancing school responsibilities, a typical teenage existence, and her nighttime duties.

Sarah Michelle Gellar, who earned her first acting credit at the tender age of 5 and appeared regularly for two seasons on the daytime drama ‘All My Children’, later became famous for her unforgettable role. During the run of ‘Buffy’, she managed to fit in several films such as ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ (1997), where she acted alongside Jennifer Love Hewitt and her future spouse, Freddie Prinze Jr. She then deviated from her usual roles in the 1999 film ‘Cruel Intentions’, and portrayed a character that fit with Buffy’s “Scooby Gang” reference as Daphne (with Prinze as Fred) in the live-action ‘Scooby-Doo’ released in 2002, and its sequel in 2004.

Following her stint on Buffy, Gellar temporarily stepped away from acting, except for brief roles in the Grudge horror series and the short-lived CW series Ringer. During this time, she devoted herself to raising her children and venturing into other projects. One of these endeavors was Foodstirs, a cooking and lifestyle company she established in 2015, which she managed until the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions to its supply chain. Now, Gellar has returned to television, this time serving as both an onscreen mentor and behind-the-scenes guide for the actors on Paramount+’s Wolf Pack. In an interview with THR, she expressed her hope that the infrastructure and support system she’s created on the show will provide a safety net for these younger actors, something her generation lacked.

Alyson Hannigan as Willow

Among the characters on Buffy, Willow played by Hannigan undergoes some of the most unexpected transformations. Originally portrayed as a shy, awkward teenager who favored overalls, Willow’s self-assurance blossoms throughout the series. She develops feelings for her longtime friend Xander (Nicholas Brendon), experiences a romantic relationship with musician-turned-werewolf Oz (Seth Green), and eventually finds true love in Tara (Amber Benson). Throughout this journey, Willow’s magical abilities grow significantly, leading her to dabble in dark magic during a period of sorrow and anger. However, she ultimately battles her way out of this dark phase to confront her dependency on magic.

Since the end of Buffy, Alyson Hannigan, known for her role in American Pie, hasn’t had much downtime on network television. From 2005 to 2014, she played Lily on the popular sitcom How I Met Your Mother alongside Josh Radnor, Jason Segel, Cobie Smulders, and Neil Patrick Harris. Between 2016 and 2023, she utilized her charming demeanor as the host of Penn & Teller: Fool Us, a magic showcase. In fall 2023, she’ll be participating in Dancing With the Stars. She has been married to Alexis Denisof (Buffy’s Wesley Wyndam-Pryce) since 2003 and together they have two daughters.

Nicholas Brendon as Xander

Xander, the humorous companion to his supernaturally strong associates, often goes unrecognized as a key member of the Scooby Gang. Despite this, he consistently demonstrates a compassionate heart and proves himself time after time for both his friends and the world. In due course, he encounters his true love, in the guise of former vengeance demon Anya (Emma Caulfield Ford).

Previously a dedicated baseball player, but forced to retire due to an injury, Brendon later found fame when he was selected for the role in Buffy. Following this success, he appeared in recurring roles on series like Criminal Minds and Private Practice, and shared the screen with Bradley Cooper on the short-lived Fox show Kitchen Confidential, which was inspired by Anthony Bourdain’s memoir.

After that, it appears he’s had a challenging stretch of years. Brendon left the set of Dr. Phil in 2015 following his disclosure about not seeking therapy after being abused as a child, and about his struggles with depression and substance abuse. Furthermore, there have been reports of his arrests in four different states for allegations like grand theft, resisting arrest, and assaulting a peace officer. Lately, he’s encountered health issues that necessitated spinal surgery, at least two cardiac incidents, and a diagnosis of tachycardia, a congenital heart condition.

Anthony Head as Giles

Rupert Giles, who appears to be just Sunnydale High’s British librarian, actually conceals a hidden role as the Slayer’s guide, or Watcher. Originating from an ancient group responsible for training each new Chosen One, he possesses an extensive understanding of all types of vampires and demons across the globe, along with countless spellbooks to cater to any supernatural creature that has ever wandered the streets of the Hellmouth.

During season six, the character scaled back his participation in the show and moved back to England to spend more time with his family, especially his young daughter. In the years that followed, he occasionally delved into the world of Doctor Who, including a role in the 2007 animated movie Doctor Who: The Infinite Quest. He also seemed to relish portraying a more sinister character as King Uther on Syfy’s Arthurian fantasy series Merlin, which ran from 2008-12. Additionally, he made appearances in films like Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (as the Centaur Chiron) and series such as Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan on Amazon, The Stranger on Netflix, and even an episode of Bridgerton. Lately, he portrayed a different character named Rupert, this time in a three-year run on Ted Lasso as Rupert Mannion, the deceitful ex-husband of AFC Richmond owner Rebecca (played by Hannah Waddingham).

David Boreanaz as Angel

Angel might be characterized in various manners: towering, dark, attractive, enigmatic, brooding, destined with Buffy… yet a cursed beast. A vampire nearing 300 years old who looks fantastic in a leather jacket, Angel recognizes he should keep his distance from the Slayer, but is powerless to do so. Their tragic romance propels him to the depths of hell and back, even literally, and when he loses his soul, it sets up an almost impossible hurdle for Buffy.

Following three consecutive seasons, Angel departed Sunnydale and his one true love, relocating to Los Angeles where he transformed into a private investigator specializing in supernatural cases, starring in the spinoff series that bore his name, which ran for five seasons. Since then, Boreanaz has maintained a remarkable workload, appearing in approximately 350 episodes of television across two other hit shows: from 2005 to 2017 as FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth opposite Emily Deschanel’s titular character on “Bones”, and from 2017 to 2022 as Navy SEAL team leader Jason Hayes on “SEAL Team”.

James Marsters as Spike

A mischievous vampire always giving Buffy trouble (even when they become romantically involved), Spike presents an enjoyable portrayal of immortality. Originally created by Angel during his villainous phase, Spike spent centuries roaming the world, wreaking havoc alongside Drusilla and Darla, before eventually finding a home in Sunnydale, also known as Hellmouth.

Fervent supporters of Spike might not bat an eye at learning that Marsters isn’t a natural blonde nor British (the Juilliard-educated actor hails from Plumas County, California). Besides Buffy, he often appeared on Angel, and later made over a dozen appearances on The WB’s Smallville as the alien Brainiac and Brainiac 5. Marsters’ small screen credits also encompass voicing Zamasu in the anime series Dragon Ball Super and related video games. In 2018, he featured in the two-part indie dramedy A Bread Factory, which garnered a rare perfect 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. From 2017 to 19, Marsters portrayed Chase Stein’s father Victor on Hulu’s Marvel series Runaways, a show about a gang of teens who discover their parents are supervillains. In his spare time, Marsters is a musician who has released albums both independently and as part of the rock band Ghost of the Robot.

Charisma Carpenter as Cordelia

As a gamer, I transitioned from playing the popular queen bee Cordelia in Sunnydale High, to starring as Angel’s trusted assistant throughout most of the run on the spinoff series, ‘Angel’. Later, I made appearances on other WB shows like ‘Charmed’ and ‘Veronica Mars’, starring alongside Kristen Bell. You might also recognize me from my role as Rebecca Sewell on ABC’s ‘The Lying Game’. I ventured into the world of big-screen action with roles in ‘The Expendables’ (2010) and its sequel, playing the girlfriend of Jason Statham’s character Lee Christmas. Additionally, you can catch me in guest spots on various procedural shows such as ‘CSI’, ‘Blue Bloods’, and ‘Chicago P.D’.

During the #MeToo movement, Carpenter openly shared allegations against Joss Whedon, the creator of Buffy, claiming years of “hostile” and “toxic” behavior. This included mistreatment during her pregnancy and being dismissed from Angel following childbirth (her character died while in a coma). Several co-stars spoke up in support of Carpenter, with Michelle Trachtenberg stating that Whedon should not be left alone with her.

Eliza Dushku as Faith

Elisabeth Dushku portrayed the character Faith, a defiant and untethered Slayer who enters the scene when Buffy briefly passes away. After departing the show, the actress, recognized for her roles in films like “True Lies” (1994), “Bring It On” (2000) and “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” (2001), took on leading roles in the supernatural Fox drama “Tru Calling” for two seasons, as well as horror films such as “Wrong Turn” (2003) and “Sex and Breakfast” (2007). In 2008, she played a wine country bar owner in “Bottle Shock,” alongside Chris Pine, Alan Rickman, and Bill Pullman. She also starred opposite Cary Elwes in “The Alphabet Killer” (2008). Subsequently, she headlined another Whedon production, the television series “Dollhouse” (which ran for two seasons on Fox from 2009-10), playing a trained assassin whose memory is wiped clean between missions.

In the year 2018, Eliza Dushku received an amount of $9.5 million in a legal settlement following her assertion that the main actor of Bull, Michael Weatherly, sexually harassed her during the filming of the series where she had a recurring part.

Michelle Trachtenberg as Dawn

In season five, when Michelle Trachtenberg debuted as Buffy’s younger sister Dawn, there was no initial explanation about this previously unknown character. However, it turned out that Dawn was not just an ordinary girl; she was a significant “key” whose safety determined the world’s fate in the series. Interestingly, prior to this role, Trachtenberg had already made a name for herself with notable performances in children’s shows like “Harriet the Spy” (1996) and “Inspector Gadget” (1999).

Following her role in “Buffy”, Trachtenberg appeared in several films such as “EuroTrip” (2004), “Ice Princess” (2005), “Black Christmas” (2006) and “17 Again” (2009). She made a notable appearance on TV, playing the cunning socialite Georgina Sparks on “Gossip Girl”; she had recurring roles in “Six Feet Under”, “Love Bites” and “Weeds”; starred in “Mercy”, an NBC medical drama that ran for just one season in 2009. In 2014, she co-starred in the adult-rated film “The Scribbler”, then in 2018 lent her voice to the extraterrestrial animated series “Human Kind Of”. Most recently, in 2022, she returned to “Gossip Girl” for a guest spot on its reboot.

Trachtenberg died at the age of 39 on Feb. 26, 2025.

Seth Green as Oz

Back in my gaming days, I was known as Oz on the hit show “Buffy” during season two, making an appearance in the episode titled “Inca Mummy Girl.” As a member of the band Dingoes Ate My Baby, we were regulars at The Bronze. It wasn’t long before I discovered my secret identity as a werewolf, but that didn’t hinder my growing relationship with Willow. After bidding farewell to “Buffy” in season four, I took on the role of Lyle, or “the Napster,” in the 2003 remake of “The Italian Job.” Later on, I starred in Fox’s short-lived sitcom “Dads” (2013) and gave voice to Howard the Duck in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise. However, my most memorable roles include co-creating and acting in Adult Swim’s iconic stop-motion sketch comedy series, “Robot Chicken,” from 2001 until this year (2022).

Emma Caulfield as Anya

Following her portrayal of Anya, a vengeance demon who regains humanity, Charisma Carpenter’s subsequent roles included a guest appearance on Monk as a writing instructor attempting to manipulate Sharona, causing her to doubt reality in order to escape punishment for murder. In 2010, she joined the cast of The CW’s cancelled series Life Unexpected and TeenNick’s Gigantic, created by fellow Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum Marti Noxon. Additionally, around this time, Carpenter co-created and starred in Bandwagon: The Series, a satirical show where she played a fictionalized version of herself. More recently, she appeared as Dottie in Marvel’s WandaVision, a role she is set to reprise in Agatha: Darkhold Diaries (due in 2024). Charisma Carpenter, known for Beverly Hills, 90210, married actor Mark Leslie Ford in 2017 and they have a daughter together. In 2022, she revealed that she has been battling Multiple Sclerosis for approximately ten years.

Amber Benson as Tara

Tara from Benson’s character, a quietly strong and magical woman, meets an untimely end on the show, leaving Willow to grapple with intense sorrow. Following her departure, Benson ventured into filmmaking, taking on roles as producer, director, and actress in productions like “Chance” (2002) and “Lovers, Liars & Lunatics” (2006). She also made an appearance as a vampire vegetarian in two episodes of “Supernatural”. Beyond acting, Benson has teamed up with Christopher Golden to create various “Ghosts of Albion” projects and write numerous novels. Together, they authored the 2023 Audible original series, “Slayers: A Buffyverse Story“, where Carpenter’s Cordelia becomes the Slayer, working alongside other cast members including Marsters, Caulfield Ford, and Head.

Kristine Sutherland as Joyce

Born as Kristine Young, Sutherland gained significant recognition for her role as Mae, the neighbor, in the 1989 movie ‘Honey, I Shrunk the Kids’. Later, she became known for portraying Buffy Summers’ mother on a popular TV show. After departing the series due to a tragic non-Hellmouth death, she has appeared sporadically in projects such as the 2008 miniseries ‘Comanche Moon’ and more recently in the 2020 dramedy ‘Before/During/After’, where her longtime partner, John Pankow, also featured. In recent times, it is said that she has shifted her attention towards other pursuits, particularly photography.

Danny Strong as Jonathan

As a fan who’s always admired the transformation of Jonathan from a slightly mischievous nerd to a formidable force in the entertainment world, it’s fascinating to look back at his humble beginnings in the Buffyverse. But that was just the beginning of his journey. He later graced our screens as Doyle McMaster in Gilmore Girls, and even caught the eye of Paris. However, it was in the realm of writing where Jonathan truly excelled.

He’s been honored with six Primetime Emmy nominations, taking home two in 2012 for his exceptional work on HBO’s Game Change, a gripping tale about Sarah Palin’s influence on John McCain’s presidential campaign. Following this, he co-wrote The Butler (2013) and both parts of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay (2014 and 2015). He also co-created Fox’s Empire and created Hulu’s Dopesick.

Despite his writing success, Jonathan hasn’t forgotten about acting. He continues to charm us on Billions as Todd Krakow. It’s been a thrilling ride watching this talented individual evolve and make his mark in the world of entertainment!

Feb. 26, 2025, 12:39 p.m.: The article has been revised following the passing of Michelle Trachtenberg (it was initially posted in 2023).

2025-02-26 23:57